In this film by wildlife film maker Tom Hartwell, Howard Inns from The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) provides practical guidance on how to encourage reptiles like grass snakes and slow worms into your woodland. He talks us through how to provide food sources, warmth, and places for them to hibernate and lay their eggs. You can also access the ARC's free habitat management handbooks here: https://www.arc-trust.org/habitat-management-handbooks. For more information on the fabulous work of the ARC please see https://www.arc-trust.org/; https://www.instagram.com/arc.trust.official/; https://twitter.com/ARC_bytes; https://www.facebook.com/ARCTrust; and https://www.youtube.com/user/ARCTrust. Special thanks to Barry Deakin for showcasing his wonderful woodland and how he has created the right conditions for healthy reptile populations.

In this film by rewilding film maker Jack D'Gama, we meet mycologist David Satori who specialises in mycorrhizal woodland ecology. David introduces us to the diversity and complexity of woodland fungi and their symbiotic relationship with trees, and why mycorrhizal fungi are just as important as trees in a woodland ecosystem. David explains how the fungi share nutrients with the trees which provide sugars from photosynthesis to the fungi, but how this relationship is not always altruistic. For more information on David's work and research please see https://www.rewildingmycology.org/david-satori/ and on Instagram, @rewilding_mycology. Autumn is the most interesting time to see fungi in woodlands. To celebrate this, we have an accompanying blog on mycorrhizal fungi coming out on 22 November 2024 (look out for it here: https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/). Did you miss the fascinating October webinar on truffle hunting hosted by our partner organisation, Small Woodland Owners Group (SWOG)? If so, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qR4lZrDYLQ.

In this film by accomplished film maker Henry Kirkwood, Steve England from Outdoor Learning takes us to the stunning Frome Valley to show us how to find fossilised trees such as Calamites and other carboniferous tree fragments. He talks about how to 'read' the geological rock structures, the tools needed for fossil hunting, and demonstrates how to find them. To find the best UK fossil locations near you see http://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/fossil-locations-of-great-britain/. The UK Association of Fossil Hunters (https://ukafh.com/) also has a wealth of information and educates on how to conduct safe, responsible and sustainable fossil hunting. Steve runs wildlife, foraging & outdoor education courses in Bristol. For more information on Steve's courses please see: Website: https://steveengland.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveenglanduk YouTube: @steveenglandoutdoorlearnin6439

Here is a short to our film by actress and presenter Nicola Kelleher in which we learn how to make laundry soap from English ivy (Hedera helix). You can see the full film here, https://youtu.be/Tt8LAOImojA. As English ivy can cause skin irritation for some people, it is recommended that you wear gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling it. Please note, that this film is specific to English ivy only. There are many types of ivy, and some can be extremely toxic such as poison ivy in the US. Always make sure you are 100% positive in your identification of English ivy and check with several different sources of information. If you go foraging for English ivy following this film then it is at your own risk. Also remember to make yourself aware of any countryside laws relating to foraging specific to your area.

In this film by actress and presenter Nicola Kelleher we learn how to make laundry soap from English ivy (Hedera helix). As English ivy can cause skin irritation for some people, it is recommended that you wear gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling it. Please note, that this film is specific to English ivy only. There are many types of ivy, and some can be extremely toxic such as poison ivy in the US. Always make sure you are 100% positive in your identification of English ivy and check with several different sources of information. If you go foraging for English ivy following this film then it is at your own risk. Also remember to make yourself aware of any countryside laws relating to foraging specific to your area.

In this film by Cameron Wright, we meet Lynn Bowser to hear about the work of Argaty Red Kites, central Scotland's only red kite feeding station. Lynn tells us about the reintroduction programme that has brought these birds back from extinction, as well as other wildlife conservation projects they are working on, such as riparian planting and red squirrel protection. We also hear some top tips on what we can do in our woodlands to encourage birds of prey. Visitors are welcome to visit the project and watch the red kites from the hide. For more information on the work of the Argaty Red Kites, please see: https://argatyredkites.co.uk/; Instagram @argatyredkites; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/argatyredkitesuk, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@argatyredkites2866.

In this film by wildlife film maker Tom Hartwell, Ian White from the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) provides practical advice on woodland management to create a range of habitats for wildlife, such as the hazel dormouse, birds and butterflies. He talks about the value of successional scrub for wildlife and the importance of coppicing and ride management. This is Part 2 in our series on the work of the PTES in conserving the wonderful hazel dormouse. For Part 1 please see https://youtu.be/COUh5ZluEew. For more information on the work of the PTES and the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme, please see https://ptes.org/campaigns/dormice/surveying-and-monitoring-hazel-dormice/national-dormouse-monitoring-programme-ndmp/.

In this film by talented film maker Henry Kirkwood, we return to Steve England from Outdoor Learning. Steve shows us how to find beefsteak mushrooms on oak trees, how to ensure their correct identification, and cooks up a mouth watering meal of trout, wood sorrel, wild garlic pickles, blackberry vinegar and beefsteak mushroom. Yum! Steve runs wildlife, foraging & outdoor education courses in Bristol. For more information on Steve's foraging courses please see: Website: https://steveengland.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveenglanduk Please note, when foraging for food, it is important that you can correctly identify what it is you are picking. Never eat anything foraged that you are not absolutely sure of what it is as it could be deadly poisonous. If you go foraging following this film then it is at your own risk. Always check with several different sources of information that you have correctly identified the wild food. Even better, go with an experienced forager like Steve! More information on the book that Steve uses in this film can be found here: https://www.foraging.co.uk/product/the-wild-food-uk-mushroom-foraging-guide/. Also remember to make yourself aware of any countryside laws relating to foraging specific to your area.

Tree planting season is upon us! Here are some easy to follow tips on how to plant and protect your young trees from author and tree planting expert Antony Mason. Antony's beautiful and practical book 'Tree Planting - How to create a woodland' is available now on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/3xmARvR and https://www.woodlands.co.uk/owning-a-wood/tree-planting-by-antony-mason/. For more advice, see the full film, 'How to Create a Woodland' (https://youtu.be/MlxE5FzAaeA).

In this film by outdoorsman James Hehir of Spirited Adventure we learn how to make a woodland pot hanger system for that perfect cup of tea. For more information on James' company and activities please see: https://spirited-adventure.jimdo.com https://www.facebook.com/Spirited-Adventure-708354515913058/ www.youtube.com/@spiritedadventure7662